“A copy of the proceedings of the legislature of the State of Texas on the thirteenth, fourteenth and fifteenth amendments to the Constitution of the United States, a copy of the constitution of the State of Texas and copies of certain general orders ...”

With full printings of the 13th Amendment ending slavery, the 14th Amendment guaranteeing equal protection and citizenship to the freedmen and women, and the 15th Amendment banning denial of the franchise based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.”

Joseph J. Reynolds (1822-1899) was commissioned a colonel at the beginning of the Civil War, promoted to brigadier general, and eventually led the 19th Corps at New Orleans and the 7th Corps in Arkansas. During Reconstruction, he was the governor of the 5th Military District in the Department of Texas. After ratifying these three amendments, Texas could rejoin the Union and Reynolds returned to frontier garrison duty and fought the Cheyenne and Sioux tribes.